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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Buying clothes too small

89 replies

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 15:30

Basically with the lockdown restrictions lifting, I have decided to do something about my weight. Prior to the lockdown starting 12 months ago, I was a size 8 5ft6 and very active. I watched my diet and made sure I was active. Since last year I am now a 12.

I am thinking of buying size 8 jeans as motivation to help me lose weight.

Has anyone else tried this and does it work?

OP posts:

TurkeyTrot · 25/04/2021 15:32

It doesn't work. The jeans will not get worn and will remind you of the money you've wasted.

Why not put the money aside and buy the jeans when you get to xxx weight?

FindingMeno · 25/04/2021 15:37

Too many sizes down. Just one size and only if I'm currently actively losing weight and I see an unusual item that wouldn't suit now but would look great if I went down a size.

HappyWipings · 25/04/2021 15:38

It really doesn't work. When I've done this on the past , by the time the item fits as it should I realise that there's an issue with the cut or fabric etc.

katy1213 · 25/04/2021 15:40

I've done this. Bought things in end-of-summer sales, knowing that I'd be a size smaller by next summer - for sure. I never was. Would have made more sense to buy the size larger!

Aria2015 · 25/04/2021 15:42

Surely you have a a favourite pair of jeans or similar in a size 8 already? Maybe just use some of your existing clothes as motivation (if you think that's work for you). It's cheaper!

GlumyGloomer · 25/04/2021 15:46

Yep, done this. Not worn them yet.

DancesWithDaffodils · 25/04/2021 15:48

Surely you already have size 8 clothes? Why not wait til you can fif back into them before buying more?

SomewhereInAnotherLife · 25/04/2021 15:52

It might work as a motivation. But you can’t guarantee that even if you do lose enough weight to fit into them, that they’ll look good on you. I hung on to my ‘thin’ jeans for years, hoping to eventually get into them again. When I finally did, they looked shite on me sadly. I could physically get them on and they did up fine but they no longer suited my body shape. I remember feeling really disappointed.

ZombeaArthur · 25/04/2021 15:53

I lost quite a bit of weight a few years ago and my goal was to fit into my own (smaller) clothes, rather than anything new. I don’t think clothes alone would be motivation enough to really lose weight and keep it off, you have to be in the right frame of mind and willing to make the necessary changes. Sadly I don’t really know how you get into that mindset, for me it just seems to happen on its own.

Aprilx · 25/04/2021 15:54

No I have wasted a lot of money over the years doing this! But clothes the size you need.

Garlia · 25/04/2021 15:58

It has worked for me, 10 years ago I bought a beautiful jacket on Ebay, it was a size 12 and at the time I was a size 20-22.

I hung it up and it was a permanent reminder of my goals, I was overjoyed when it finally did fit a year later.

I then did it again with some designer jeans that were a bargain on Ebay, something like £5 unused, RRP £115. But a skinny fit size 10.

It really helped my motivation and I began exercising to help shift the last stone, I was delighted when I fit into them.

The jacket and jeans are now too big and recycled long ago, but they were worn to death! My lifestyle has completely changed, I'm a fitness addict and a very comfortable size 8, the weight has stayed off as I have a new lifestyle now.

Lots of little goals really help - every 5 lbs I would have a non-food treat, and I'd have a future event in mind that I wanted to be another few lbs less for.

It really can help :)

BlueDahlia69 · 25/04/2021 15:58

I remember the one and ONLY time I got into a pair of size 8 jeans...

One sodding day...

I wish you luck OP .. if it motivates you go for it 🌼

Boph · 25/04/2021 15:59

It depends on your age, maybe if you are very young it's a natural increase in weight but sometimes shape changes even if weight remains the same. Have you been eating differently than usual? My weight has never altered much in 40 years but I was a size smaller in my teens.

Original poster

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 16:08

@DancesWithDaffodils

Surely you already have size 8 clothes? Why not wait til you can fif back into them before buying more?

Yes I do, from last year before lockdown started. But I thought buying something new might motivate me more. As the old clothes, although they are branded, just don't really motivate me as such.

OP posts:

Lottle · 25/04/2021 16:09

Don't you have size 8 clothes already from last year, that you could get back into? I'd spend the money on something that will help you reach your goals eg healthy food, if necessary. Good luck. I wish I was a size 12!

Lottle · 25/04/2021 16:09

Sorry x post

rainbowthoughts · 25/04/2021 16:09

I don't really see the point. Surely you already have size 8 clothes if that was your size before? I would tackle the weight loss if that's what you want to do; but a pair of jeans isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.

Original poster

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 16:10

@Garlia

It has worked for me, 10 years ago I bought a beautiful jacket on Ebay, it was a size 12 and at the time I was a size 20-22.

I hung it up and it was a permanent reminder of my goals, I was overjoyed when it finally did fit a year later.

I then did it again with some designer jeans that were a bargain on Ebay, something like £5 unused, RRP £115. But a skinny fit size 10.

It really helped my motivation and I began exercising to help shift the last stone, I was delighted when I fit into them.

Lots of little goals really help - every 5 lbs I would have a non-food treat, and I'd have a future event in mind that I wanted to be another few lbs less for.

It really can help :)

Wow. What a positive story to read. How did you stay motivated? And how have you kept it off?

OP posts:

apooagnuandyou · 25/04/2021 16:18

You put 2 dress sizes in 1 year?

Instead of buying new clothes 2 sizes too small, I would seriously rethink my lifestyle.

I am not being goady, but if you were in the UK, we are never been in such a strict lockdown that you couldn't go out and exercise - mostly for as long as you wanted!

Why did you put so much in such a short time? And more importantly, how can you ensure you don't do the same again!

All you need is an injury (as silly as a sprained ankle) or some busy time at work and you risk putting it back on again?

Original poster

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 16:20

@Aria2015

Surely you have a a favourite pair of jeans or similar in a size 8 already? Maybe just use some of your existing clothes as motivation (if you think that's work for you). It's cheaper!

I have 2 favourite pairs. 1 is a pair of true religion blue jeans with white thick stitching. The other is a pair of Levi's 501 no stretch button up jeans.

OP posts:

NoMoreMuchin · 25/04/2021 16:30

I know some people find this really motivating but it is the opposite for me.

Losing weight for me was about self care and looking after my needs in a positive way when I had been using food as an emotional crutch.

In order to lose weight I had to value myself and think I deserved to be slim and happy. That included having clothes that I felt good in at my current size and boxing away smaller things for the time being so they were not leering at me from the wardrobe.

Clothes are inanimate objects designed to fit me, rather than me trying to fit into them.

Original poster

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 16:31

Yes I did put on 2 sizes in a year.

I used to jog/run a lot. Instead of that, I switched to walking for longer when not working.

I didn't watch my diet as much and as a result I can't fit my size 8 jeans, shorts or dresses.

OP posts:

Original poster

funnygreen33 · 25/04/2021 16:36

@HappyWipings

It really doesn't work. When I've done this on the past , by the time the item fits as it should I realise that there's an issue with the cut or fabric etc.

I never thought of that

OP posts:

aibutohavethisusername · 25/04/2021 16:39

I have tried to do this. It can work but mostly it doesn’t.

LolaSmiles · 25/04/2021 16:40

When people gain and lose weight, often their body shape changes too.
Why not keep the pairs you currently have and buy new ones that flatter your new figure once you've lost the weight.

In terms of motivation, what's your main motivation to lose weight? Is it purely to have a size 8 in your jeans and get the validation that gives, because if not buying a size 8 pair of jeans won't motivate you.

If it's health, fitness, to be more toned, to get back into your sports again, then maybe have something linked to your real motivation to help encourage you.

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